“Heaven knows what pains the author has been at, what bitter experience he has endured and what heartache suffered, to give some chance reader a few hours' relaxation or to while away the tedium of a journey.” KnowsGivingWritingHas BeensPainHeavenHoursChanceJourneyReaderBitterHeartacheRelaxationTediumBitter Experience Book:The Moon and Sixpence Source: The Moon and Sixpence
“The word story is intended to alert the reader to the fact that, however closely the narrative may fit the facts, the fictional process has been at work.” WritingMayHas BeensFactsStoriesProcessReaderFitNarrative Book:Anatomy of Restlessness: Selected Writings 1969-1989 Source: Anatomy of Restlessness: Selected Writings 1969-1989
“The Transformation of the World is lavishly reinforced with critical apparatus (that, too, must have been a labor of Hercules to translate--I honestly never expected to see this book in English), but by far its greatest attraction is the intelligence and more important the wisdom of its author. It's a towering achievement no serious reader should miss.” WorldShouldHas BeensImportantBookMissingSeriousReaderAchievementLaborTransformationCriticalAttractionExpectedHonestlyTranslate Author:Steve Donoghue
“The only real reason for self-referencing is the fun factor. It's fun for the writer, getting little peeks at what old characters might be up to. And it's fun for readers to spot a familiar face, or pick up on a made-up book title or something from an earlier story. I don't know that it does -- or even should -- contribute to the story in hand being any better than it would have been without it.” KnowsShouldLittlesDoeHas BeensMadeBookRealSelfReasonCharacterStoriesHandsMightFacesFunReaderPicksFamiliarFactorsSpotsTitlesReferencingFamiliar FacesBook Titles Author:Charles de Lint
“It is a fallacy to think that carping is the strongest form of criticism: the important work begins after the artist's mistakes have been pointed out, and the reviewer can't put it off indefinitely with sneers, although some neophytes might be tempted to try: "When in doubt, stick out your tongue" is a safe rule that never cost one any readers. But there's nothing strong about it, and it has nothing to do with the real business of criticism, which is to do justice to the best work of one's time, so that nothing gets lost.” ThinkingTryingHas BeensImportantRealMightFormArtistLostStrongJusticeMistakeDoubtReaderCostSafeCriticismSticksTongueStrongestTemptedBest WorkFallacyReviewersWhen In DoubtSneerImportant Work Author:Wilfrid Sheed